Crossing to Bahamas

[sailorduff]

Thinking of leaving out of St Augustine going out past the gulf stream, turning and going south...anyone done this? I know most people go out of lake worth or
key biscayne but I dont want to waste my time or money with the ICW again. Suggestions or helpful hints welcome! A little about my boat its a 37 ft endeavor, 2 people on board, thinking of leaving late feb early march. Thanks!

[CaptTony]

There is a southern flowing current just on the east side of the Gulf Stream, so if you are careful in picking it up, you catch an assist going south. However if you go too far, you will hit another north bound current. You will probably hit some eddies, too, and they are always fun. And, most of all, you have quite a slog to windward going out of St. Augustine unless you catch a norther in which case you will hit very confused seas as the northbound Gulf Stream gets hit by the north winds. You should take a look at the pilot charts for the area.

Or in other words, hug the coast and follow it down to the Lake Worth inlet and wait for weather before doing the crossing. That is unless you want a few days of boredom and little sleep punctuated by periods of stark terror.

I would get at least one more crew.

[roberttigar]

Unless you have tried, you dont know how much affect The Gulf Stream Current can have on your speed. This is a continous current that runs at approx 3' and at 3 knots. If you are heading south, it will slow your progress by that much-about half the boat speed of a typical cruising sailboat.

If you dont object to being exposed to open ocean for 24 house, leave from anywhere north. If you would like to cross to West End as quickly as possible, come down to Ft L or Hillsboro Inlet to use the current to make the trip over open water quicker. Bob

[TQA]

Originally Posted by sailorduff

Thinking of leaving out of St Augustine going out past the gulf stream, turning and going south...anyone done this? I know most people go out of lake worth or
key biscayne but I dont want to waste my time or money with the ICW again. Suggestions or helpful hints welcome! A little about my boat its a 37 ft endeavor, 2 people on board, thinking of leaving late feb early march. Thanks!

Where would you enter?

Are you going to wait for a weather window or sail to a schedule.

[travlineasy]

Take a close look at Sailing Weather - Marine Weather Forecasts for Sailors and Adventurers - PassageWeather and pay particular attention to the Gulf Stream tab.



Gary